Aftermath of Deceit
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Proverbs 20:17
Have you ever been deceived by another? You were certain that you were getting a great benefit from someone, only to find out afterwards the sordid truth. Nothing is more frustrating than having to chew on the gravel of enlightenment! Waves of anger and frustration wash over you only to be replaced by self-chastisement. How could you have been so gullible? Nothing ruins a relationship like deceit. It is difficult to be civil to someone who has wronged you intentionally.
Jesus warns us in Matthew 12:36-37 that we are accountable for our words - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Isn’t it comforting to know that even if we can’t prevent deception, we know that the perpetrator will be held accountable?
Before we become too smug in knowing that the deceiver will get his just reward, we need to look inwardly. Have we deceived others? Maybe our social status or possessions are “slightly exaggerated” to make us look better than we really are. Have we deceived others with little white lies? If so, let us join David in his prayer of Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. It is only through His strength and redemption that we are able to evade the snare of deceiving others.
Proverbs 20:17
Have you ever been deceived by another? You were certain that you were getting a great benefit from someone, only to find out afterwards the sordid truth. Nothing is more frustrating than having to chew on the gravel of enlightenment! Waves of anger and frustration wash over you only to be replaced by self-chastisement. How could you have been so gullible? Nothing ruins a relationship like deceit. It is difficult to be civil to someone who has wronged you intentionally.
Jesus warns us in Matthew 12:36-37 that we are accountable for our words - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Isn’t it comforting to know that even if we can’t prevent deception, we know that the perpetrator will be held accountable?
Before we become too smug in knowing that the deceiver will get his just reward, we need to look inwardly. Have we deceived others? Maybe our social status or possessions are “slightly exaggerated” to make us look better than we really are. Have we deceived others with little white lies? If so, let us join David in his prayer of Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. It is only through His strength and redemption that we are able to evade the snare of deceiving others.
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